Poisons Board reports surge in pharmacies, professionals as sector grows
Registered pharmaceutical premises grew from 6,852 in 2018 to 10,497 as of June 23, 2026. During the same period, the number of licensed pharmacy.
A woman buying medication at a pharmacy. (Photo: Charity Kilei)
Kenya's pharmaceutical industry has experienced substantial growth over the last eight years, with registered pharmaceutical outlets increasing by 53 per cent and licensed pharmacy professionals rising by 70 per cent, reflecting expanding access to healthcare products and services nationwide.
Data from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) shows registered pharmaceutical premises grew from 6,852 in 2018 to 10,497 as of June 23, 2026. Over the same period, licensed pharmacy professionals increased from 9,031 to 15,397.
The achievements were highlighted during the PPB Regulatory Engagement Forum at the 46th Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya Annual Scientific Conference, where regulators, pharmacists, and industry stakeholders discussed emerging trends and priorities in the sector.
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Discussions centred on pharmacy practice, product registration, post‑market surveillance, pharmacovigilance, and the board's efforts to attain World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level 3, a globally recognised indicator of a robust regulatory system.
“Strengthening collaboration between the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and pharmaceutical stakeholders is essential to advancing patient safety, regulatory excellence and access to safe, quality and effective health products,” the board noted.
The regulator also highlighted progress in streamlining medicine approvals and enhancing oversight of pharmaceutical products.
As of June 23, 2026, 7,255 pharmaceutical products were eligible for importation or local manufacture, while 76 per cent of retained products met market requirements. The Board further reported reducing marketing authorisation backlogs by more than 80 per cent, improving regulatory efficiency while maintaining product quality and patient safety.
Deputy Director for Product Safety, Dr Christabel Khaemba, said regulatory affairs in Kenya have evolved from a function largely focused on product registration to a broader strategic discipline overseeing the entire lifecycle of medical products.
She noted that market authorisation is no longer considered the final stage of regulation and emphasised the growing role of continuous monitoring in protecting public health.
“Continuous monitoring of the safety and effectiveness of medicines through pharmacovigilance is now central to protecting patients and ensuring health products continue to deliver their intended benefits throughout their use,” she said.
Officials said Kenya’s regulatory transformation has included risk‑based approaches, expanded use of regional and international reliance mechanisms, digitalisation of regulatory systems, stronger oversight of local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and improved pharmacovigilance.
These developments, stakeholders noted, have strengthened regulatory efficiency, enhanced the quality, safety, and effectiveness of health products, and improved the country’s readiness to regulate emerging health technologies.
Industry players also called for greater investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing and wider access to quality‑assured medicines as Kenya positions itself to become a competitive regional regulatory hub ahead of the Africa Medicines Agency’s operationalisation.
The annual conference continues to provide a key platform for dialogue on regulatory developments, innovation, and opportunities shaping the future of Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector.